Good morning, everyone. What dull and boring weather at the moment. Rain, rain and more rain. A bit of a let down after yesterday's glorious autumnal sunshine but never mind. Everything was quite dry as we didn't have all that much rain on Monday. Heavy showers, certainly, but they were very short lived. I'm beginning to wonder if Kevin will come round to clear the garage, given that it is so miserable.
It was lovely day yesterday, with three friends round for a lunch that was almost totally home made: oaty rolls (using Diane's recipe), potato and leek soup, cake, banana bread and grapes (OK, so I didn't make them). We had a great gossip and plenty of chuckles. I gave out jams and received wine, a plant and some fresh laid eggs. I have three portions of soup left over too, so that's sorted three school lunches next week.
Today and tomorrow I need to plan and prepare for our family do on Saturday. I'm not going to be too adventurous and will go with the tried and trusted. I shall be making the final decisions this morning and then the shopping list and I'm thinking that it is just as well I have been paid recently!!!
The Victoria sponge ended up rather dry. My own fault - I decided it needed a few extra moments and then forgot about it for five minutes or so - enough to make a difference. Never mind, I was wondering what to have for a second dessert and now I can make a trifle - with jelly. Eat your heart out, Mary Berry. No alcohol though or the non-drinking members of the family won't be able to participate. That and the magic key lime pie (or rather, lemon this time) will do nicely along with a birthday cake!
I'm not yet sure what's going on in the kitchen today but it will probably involve bread of some sort. I'm going to make some more oaty bread rolls as I loved the ones I made at the weekend. I might try them with wholemeal this time. As I'm using Thermione and doing the rest slowly, timing doesn't matter as much so if it's slower to ride, no problems! I also quite fancy making a plaited loaf like the Silver Fox showed us last night - I just caught it before I dropped off to sleep!
All of that, with more general houseworky stuff, should keep me nicely busy and out of trouble all day!
Thursday, 31 October 2013
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Wednesday
Good morning, gentle readers. It's a beautiful clear night at the moment and when I went out to pop something in the freezer I was enthralled at how bright the stars are. Having the street lights off certainly does make a difference. It's rather cold too, not quite frosty cold but not far off. It is nearly November so hardly surprising really.
Yesterday was a most enjoyable and productive day. At some time after eight, Doug arrived, new French window in tow, to start work on replacing the old one. While he was working, along came the window cleaner who refunded me £2.00 because he couldn't wash that window - now that was unexpected! Not long after Gary had finished, along came Kevin to look at the rubbish in my garage and to give me a quote for clearing what needs to go which was so very acceptable I said yes almost before he had finished speaking. The main problem with yesterday morning was that for quite a while there was no French window and it was starting to feel jolly chilly in the house as there was a decided nip in the air at times.
In and out of all of that I made some cranberry sauce (cranberry, apple and orange, to be strictly accurate) and some Victorian apple jam. Both recipes are now on Teacher's recipes.
After umming and ahing about what to do with the leftover whipped cream from Saturday, I finally decided to use Thermione and have a go at making some butter. This was dead easy and seems to have been most successful although I shall know better after I have had my morning toast! More about that another time.
After a quick trip to the shop I made some leek and potato soup, a banana loaf and a victoria sponge for tomorrow. All great fun but I was thankful for the dishwasher! Then leter on, in the evening, I made a banana loaf and some potato and leek soup. I have friends round for lunch today and the rolls (from Sunday), soup and banana loaf is for them. I've just turned the oven on to make a Victoria sponge and that's me more or less ready. I then just need to make some croutons or some sort of garnish for the soup.
After all that hard work < cough >, I was most content to sit and relax with some wine, some rubbish magazines and the evening's telly. After all, it *is* holiday!
And today? Well, friends are round for lunch so I shall do a little bit of housework this morning including cleaning the outside of the new window which is quite a mess. The trouble is I have a south facing garden so get the sun most of the day and the windows can look just awful when it shines through them!. Kevin might be coming round to clear the garage at some point although I am rather hoping that he doesn't come until tomorrow. I'm taking possession of a Vax hoover at some point (from a local selling page) on the possibly misguided assumption that if I have a hoover I keep upstairs I might sweep the bedrooms a bit more often. At the price the seller wants I can hardly go wrong!
But first I must make that sponge cake! Watch out, Mary Berry, here I come!
Yesterday was a most enjoyable and productive day. At some time after eight, Doug arrived, new French window in tow, to start work on replacing the old one. While he was working, along came the window cleaner who refunded me £2.00 because he couldn't wash that window - now that was unexpected! Not long after Gary had finished, along came Kevin to look at the rubbish in my garage and to give me a quote for clearing what needs to go which was so very acceptable I said yes almost before he had finished speaking. The main problem with yesterday morning was that for quite a while there was no French window and it was starting to feel jolly chilly in the house as there was a decided nip in the air at times.
In and out of all of that I made some cranberry sauce (cranberry, apple and orange, to be strictly accurate) and some Victorian apple jam. Both recipes are now on Teacher's recipes.
After umming and ahing about what to do with the leftover whipped cream from Saturday, I finally decided to use Thermione and have a go at making some butter. This was dead easy and seems to have been most successful although I shall know better after I have had my morning toast! More about that another time.
After a quick trip to the shop I made some leek and potato soup, a banana loaf and a victoria sponge for tomorrow. All great fun but I was thankful for the dishwasher! Then leter on, in the evening, I made a banana loaf and some potato and leek soup. I have friends round for lunch today and the rolls (from Sunday), soup and banana loaf is for them. I've just turned the oven on to make a Victoria sponge and that's me more or less ready. I then just need to make some croutons or some sort of garnish for the soup.
After all that hard work < cough >, I was most content to sit and relax with some wine, some rubbish magazines and the evening's telly. After all, it *is* holiday!
And today? Well, friends are round for lunch so I shall do a little bit of housework this morning including cleaning the outside of the new window which is quite a mess. The trouble is I have a south facing garden so get the sun most of the day and the windows can look just awful when it shines through them!. Kevin might be coming round to clear the garage at some point although I am rather hoping that he doesn't come until tomorrow. I'm taking possession of a Vax hoover at some point (from a local selling page) on the possibly misguided assumption that if I have a hoover I keep upstairs I might sweep the bedrooms a bit more often. At the price the seller wants I can hardly go wrong!
But first I must make that sponge cake! Watch out, Mary Berry, here I come!
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Tuesday
Good morning, everyone! First of all, before I forget, I've started posting recipes into Teacher's Recipes again and the latest is the merry berry cherry jam I made yesterday. It worked well and will make lovely Christmas presents.
When the storm finally hit, it was pretty scary for a short time and, coward that I am, I kept the curtains drawn in a sort of head-in-the-sand gesture. It might have helped!!! Fortunately, very little damage was done round here. Neighbours lost fence panels and someone's gazebo was blown over and damaged. My runner beans are now listing to one side. Apart from that, we were lucky. Once it had passed I read derisive comments on Facebook about how it was a let down, a damp squib, a storm in a teacup. My view is that lives were lost, homes have been damaged, trees uprooted as well as more minor losses and I would not call that a damp squib. Thank your lucky stars it wasn't you who suffered in that way too. I am sure that the long and considerable warnings we were given helped to reduce the damage as people got their gardens tidied up, moved things that were likely to blow around and cause other damage and generally made preparations 'in case'. Thanks, George, for taking down the growhouse on Saturday: I'd have lost that, for sure.
I was glad that the worst didn't last all that long and not long after that things were more or less calm with some gusty wind at times and some heavy showers between the sunny times. I very much hope all my readers who were affected were as fortunate as I.
Today is going to be busy. My french wondow is being replaced, someone is coming regarding clearing the junk form my garage and I've just read an email informing me that the window cleaner will be round. Busy times! Better go and have my bath and get ready then!
When the storm finally hit, it was pretty scary for a short time and, coward that I am, I kept the curtains drawn in a sort of head-in-the-sand gesture. It might have helped!!! Fortunately, very little damage was done round here. Neighbours lost fence panels and someone's gazebo was blown over and damaged. My runner beans are now listing to one side. Apart from that, we were lucky. Once it had passed I read derisive comments on Facebook about how it was a let down, a damp squib, a storm in a teacup. My view is that lives were lost, homes have been damaged, trees uprooted as well as more minor losses and I would not call that a damp squib. Thank your lucky stars it wasn't you who suffered in that way too. I am sure that the long and considerable warnings we were given helped to reduce the damage as people got their gardens tidied up, moved things that were likely to blow around and cause other damage and generally made preparations 'in case'. Thanks, George, for taking down the growhouse on Saturday: I'd have lost that, for sure.
I was glad that the worst didn't last all that long and not long after that things were more or less calm with some gusty wind at times and some heavy showers between the sunny times. I very much hope all my readers who were affected were as fortunate as I.
Today is going to be busy. My french wondow is being replaced, someone is coming regarding clearing the junk form my garage and I've just read an email informing me that the window cleaner will be round. Busy times! Better go and have my bath and get ready then!
Monday, 28 October 2013
Monday
. . . and the much forecast storm is upon us! Well, sort of anyway although I gather it will get more stormy as the rush hour approaches. It's very wet, it's windy and the silver birch in the next garden is being tossed madly hither and thither but, so far, nothing too bad.
I have plans for today, seeing as I'm not going out anywhere.
Firstly I will be making and then freezing the pigs in blankets. I always do this in half term: it's one of those fiddly jobs that is much better done when you're not in a rush and as I use chipolatas, they can be cooked from frozen.
I'm in the process of making a jam I will call Merry Cherry Berry Jam. I'm using up some bags of frozen fruit from the freezer - two bags of mixed 'forest fruits', one bag of cherries and half a bag of cranberries. The other half of the cranberries I will make some sort of cranberry sauce with (and freeze for the festive season).
I hate lots of seeds in my jam so I started by boiling up the mixed forest fruits in a little water and have just pushed the lot through a sieve. I then added the cherries and cranberries and that's simmering away until all is soft. Then I will measure, add sugar and so on. Finally the merry bit will be some cherry brandy. If it works well I will put the recipe on the other blog which has been sadly neglected in the last week or so.
I have friends round for lunch on Wednesday and I intend to make a nice leek and potato soup with home made rolls, followed by cake - banana bread (I just love that recipe) and a Victoria sponge. I think I will make the rolls today because I can freeze them and make the rest tomorrow and then freeze any leftovers.
I have a little list of things to tidy and sort. Just a few things so that it is manageable. And I have a full ironing basket so I hope that
a) the power doesn't go off and
b) there something decent on the telly!
Finally, I have some photos of Saturday to upload and edit.
Now I know I'm supposed to take things easy but most of this is fun, fun, fun! I love the kitchen stuff and I don't mind the ironing as long as I can watch the telly. I will be glad to have done some clearing out and editing photos is fun too. Also, any time I like I can take a break. Bliss!!
I hope all my readers are safe and that, if you are affected, this storm causes no damage. Stay dry!
I have plans for today, seeing as I'm not going out anywhere.
Firstly I will be making and then freezing the pigs in blankets. I always do this in half term: it's one of those fiddly jobs that is much better done when you're not in a rush and as I use chipolatas, they can be cooked from frozen.
I'm in the process of making a jam I will call Merry Cherry Berry Jam. I'm using up some bags of frozen fruit from the freezer - two bags of mixed 'forest fruits', one bag of cherries and half a bag of cranberries. The other half of the cranberries I will make some sort of cranberry sauce with (and freeze for the festive season).
I hate lots of seeds in my jam so I started by boiling up the mixed forest fruits in a little water and have just pushed the lot through a sieve. I then added the cherries and cranberries and that's simmering away until all is soft. Then I will measure, add sugar and so on. Finally the merry bit will be some cherry brandy. If it works well I will put the recipe on the other blog which has been sadly neglected in the last week or so.
I have friends round for lunch on Wednesday and I intend to make a nice leek and potato soup with home made rolls, followed by cake - banana bread (I just love that recipe) and a Victoria sponge. I think I will make the rolls today because I can freeze them and make the rest tomorrow and then freeze any leftovers.
I have a little list of things to tidy and sort. Just a few things so that it is manageable. And I have a full ironing basket so I hope that
a) the power doesn't go off and
b) there something decent on the telly!
Finally, I have some photos of Saturday to upload and edit.
Now I know I'm supposed to take things easy but most of this is fun, fun, fun! I love the kitchen stuff and I don't mind the ironing as long as I can watch the telly. I will be glad to have done some clearing out and editing photos is fun too. Also, any time I like I can take a break. Bliss!!
I hope all my readers are safe and that, if you are affected, this storm causes no damage. Stay dry!
Sunday, 27 October 2013
Sunday
The first busy day of the half term is now over. There's a week of comparative idleness laying ahead of me now, punctuated by lunches with friends, house repair stuff and general clearing and reorganising. I want to use the opportunity to start preparing for Christmas - pigs in blankets and roasties in the freezer and probably some of my remaining carrots too, as I usually roast them at Christmas. Roasted veg looks so nice, taste so good and it's so much easier than boiling them!
Yesterday was wearisome and long but fantastic. As I have mentioned, Alex organised a birthday party for Beth and took the opportunity to make it a frugal food raiser for the local Food Bank. At one point we wondered if many would be able to come but in the end there were eighteen of us, although three had to go because the little lad wasn't well at all, poor chappie. Another time to be glad of the extension and grateful to those whose generosity made it possible.
Al did brilliantly with the food - the tables were absolutely groaning under the weight. He wisely kept it simple (and as frugal as he could) with sandwiches, scones (he made the scones and they were lovely) with cream and jam, sausage rolls, crisps and a wide variety of home made cakes. Most people had tea so I was up and down refilling teapots quite a lot. Beth bought three teapots from a local charity shop very, very cheaply. Two of them she will re-donating but I have claimed the fourth, a tall white pot with a lovely pour! I will donate something to the food bank for it.
Between them, Beth and Alex devised some pencil and paper games, nothing brain aching, just good fun. I heard peals of laughter as I busied myself in the kitchen.
All in all it was an outstanding success. WELL DONE, ALEX!!!
And now, here am I, having managed to stay up a bit later last night so only waking at my usual time, even with the clocks going back. It's pretty blowy outside and I am very glad I got George to dismantle the growhouse yesterday. The last of the tomatoes has now been dealt with. It's been such a good year but all good things . . . as the saying goes. I still have chillies, carrots and parsley and the broccoli and leeks are doing great. I've left the runners in for now but what's the betting the storm will blow them over!
Stay warm, stay cosy and I hope that whatever the weather has in store for us, all my readers are safe.
Yesterday was wearisome and long but fantastic. As I have mentioned, Alex organised a birthday party for Beth and took the opportunity to make it a frugal food raiser for the local Food Bank. At one point we wondered if many would be able to come but in the end there were eighteen of us, although three had to go because the little lad wasn't well at all, poor chappie. Another time to be glad of the extension and grateful to those whose generosity made it possible.
Al did brilliantly with the food - the tables were absolutely groaning under the weight. He wisely kept it simple (and as frugal as he could) with sandwiches, scones (he made the scones and they were lovely) with cream and jam, sausage rolls, crisps and a wide variety of home made cakes. Most people had tea so I was up and down refilling teapots quite a lot. Beth bought three teapots from a local charity shop very, very cheaply. Two of them she will re-donating but I have claimed the fourth, a tall white pot with a lovely pour! I will donate something to the food bank for it.
Between them, Beth and Alex devised some pencil and paper games, nothing brain aching, just good fun. I heard peals of laughter as I busied myself in the kitchen.
All in all it was an outstanding success. WELL DONE, ALEX!!!
And now, here am I, having managed to stay up a bit later last night so only waking at my usual time, even with the clocks going back. It's pretty blowy outside and I am very glad I got George to dismantle the growhouse yesterday. The last of the tomatoes has now been dealt with. It's been such a good year but all good things . . . as the saying goes. I still have chillies, carrots and parsley and the broccoli and leeks are doing great. I've left the runners in for now but what's the betting the storm will blow them over!
Stay warm, stay cosy and I hope that whatever the weather has in store for us, all my readers are safe.
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Saturday
Apologies for yesterday's silence. It's all been go and, with the cold hanging on, the tiredness and the general yuckiness, the blog took a back seat. However, it is now Saturday morning, there's a busy day ahead but then the opportunity for a good rest. Bliss.
First, thought, today . . . Alex is holding a tea party. There are two main reasons. First of all, it is Beth's birthday today (Happy Birthday, Beth) and secondly, he needs to do some sort of fundraising event for his Duke of Edinburgh award. So he has combined the two and is hoping that those coming will bring a nice donation to the Food Bank, which is his chosen charity. I was feeling rather stressed about getting all the work done but when I got home yesterday, Beth and Alex were already there moving funriture and generally getting stuff organised. The cleaner had been too.
Today will be busy but I'm not so worried now.
I just wish this cold would go though. It's dragging on far too long and it's wearing me out! Goodness, don't I sound dismal? Sorry.
Well, I'd better go and do some stuff . . .
First, thought, today . . . Alex is holding a tea party. There are two main reasons. First of all, it is Beth's birthday today (Happy Birthday, Beth) and secondly, he needs to do some sort of fundraising event for his Duke of Edinburgh award. So he has combined the two and is hoping that those coming will bring a nice donation to the Food Bank, which is his chosen charity. I was feeling rather stressed about getting all the work done but when I got home yesterday, Beth and Alex were already there moving funriture and generally getting stuff organised. The cleaner had been too.
Today will be busy but I'm not so worried now.
I just wish this cold would go though. It's dragging on far too long and it's wearing me out! Goodness, don't I sound dismal? Sorry.
Well, I'd better go and do some stuff . . .
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Thursday
Two days to go - oh, my! Half a day's teaching, that's all. This afternoon I am off to a SENCO update course and tomorrow is my SEN day (and a VERY long list of things to do so that will keep me out of trouble).
This may be tempting fate and I have my fingers crossed as I typo, but I think we won't get The Call now until half term. A biggish school like ours will need more than one day of inspection and even if they phone at lunchtime, there's not enough time. I hope . . .
It's chilly outside. I woke briefly in the night to find the room well lit up. It had to be moonlight as all the street lights were off by then, but I was too dozy to get up and look!! Clear skies = lower temperatures at this time of year.
We're a right lot of old crocks in Y1. Both A and I have this virus which, apparently, could go on for a number of weeks - great!!!! One of our LSAs is also suffering from the same thing and the children are dropping like flies. Hopefully we are building an immunity and will be fine when everyone else is croaking around the school. Fingers crossed!
This may be tempting fate and I have my fingers crossed as I typo, but I think we won't get The Call now until half term. A biggish school like ours will need more than one day of inspection and even if they phone at lunchtime, there's not enough time. I hope . . .
It's chilly outside. I woke briefly in the night to find the room well lit up. It had to be moonlight as all the street lights were off by then, but I was too dozy to get up and look!! Clear skies = lower temperatures at this time of year.
We're a right lot of old crocks in Y1. Both A and I have this virus which, apparently, could go on for a number of weeks - great!!!! One of our LSAs is also suffering from the same thing and the children are dropping like flies. Hopefully we are building an immunity and will be fine when everyone else is croaking around the school. Fingers crossed!
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